Lookout Mountain, Tennessee: The Incline

It's like riding an elevator up the side of a mountain, on a train.

Incline Railway

We enjoyed several attractions on Lookout Mountain, but did not understand how the "Combination Ticket" worked. If we bought a ticket at the Incline railway station and it included entrance to "Rock City" and "Ruby Falls," (Cavern), we made the assumption that at the top of the Incline, we'd be at Rock City and Ruby Falls. When we actually got to the peak to find nothing but a great view, we were very disappointed.

Got back on the Incline RR for the trip down, got back in our car and drove up to the top and worked our way to Rock City. Later, half way down Lookout Mountain, we went to Ruby Falls.

All the attractions were "worth it," but if we knew the ropes, we probably would have just driven to Rock City.

[Rick, 06/14/2010]

Incline Railroad

Instead of going to Rock City or Ruby Falls, on our stopover in Chattanooga we decided to take a ride on the 100+ year old Incline Railroad to the top of Lookout Mountain. With a 75 degree incline and almost a mile of track, this is the steepest railway in the world. The price was $10 for a round trip -- you can ride up and down all day if you want. Though it was chilly, the ride up was so much fun and the view from Lookout Mountain was spectacular. You can see six states from the 3-story observation platform. The railcar is tilted when at the ground station and becomes level on the incline to prevent toppling tourists. You have the option to go to a Civil War battlefield from the top of the mountain, also. There is a separate admission for that.

[Laura, 03/29/2005]

Incline Railway - Steepest Passenger Railway in the World

On the side of Lookout Mountain, Georgia overlooking the town of Chattanooga, Tennessee, is the steepest passenger railway in the world, the Incline Railway. With a 72.7% grade, this has been called "Americas Most Amazing Mile." It's really fun to load onto the train to the top of the mountain. Because of the steep incline, you find yourself almost falling on other people.

[Michael W. Moss, 10/17/2004]